Chapter 92 The Ancestor’s New Order

A few days passed, the operation began.

Qiu Wuyin gathered the Nascent Soul cultivators and their disciples before giving them their assignments. “Spread throughout the Western Continent. Choose different regions and establish bases there. From this day onward, begin searching for hidden powerhouses and recruit anyone worthy of joining Eclipse.”

The cultivators nodded solemnly.

Qiu Wuyin continued, “But don't limit your search to cultivators. We will also recruit prominent families that have no powerful cultivator backing them.”

One of the Nascent Soul cultivators raised an eyebrow. “We understand why we need to recruit powerful cultivators, but why prominent families without powerful backing? What use are they to Eclipse?”

Qiu Wuyin smiled faintly. “Because they have something we need—ambition and resources.”

He looked across the group before explaining, “A prominent family without a powerful backer will naturally desire protection. They also desire the opportunity to allow their descendants to step onto the path of cultivation and pursue immortality.”

“Eclipse can offer them both.”

The cultivators nodded thoughtfully.

“If they join us, they will receive the protection of powerful cultivators under Eclipse. And if any of their descendants possess cultivation talent, they will be given the opportunity to learn cultivation techniques.”

Qiu Wuyin paused before adding, “But that's not the only reason.”

His expression became serious.

“Eclipse needs funds to operate. Establishing bases, gathering information, acquiring resources, and supporting our cultivators all require enormous amounts of wealth. Prominent families can provide that.”

Old Fu muttered to himself 

“So we're giving them protection and opportunities in exchange for their loyalty and resources?”

“Exactly,” Qiu Wuyin replied. “Find families with influence but no powerful backing. Such families are more likely to cooperate with us.”

His eyes narrowed.

“Remember, however, that Eclipse must remain hidden. None of these families are to know who truly stands behind us.”

The cultivators cupped their fists.

“Yes, Elder Qiu”

With that, the members of Eclipse departed in different directions, carrying out their assignments. Some headed toward other kingdoms and nations, while others traveled toward distant empires or the outskirts of the Western Continent. Their mission was simple, establish their bases, search for hidden experts, and quietly expand Eclipse's influence without revealing who stood behind it.

. . .

Inside the City Lord's office, Zan Yunxiao stood before a floating large map of the Western Continent. Using his spiritual energy, he suspended the map in the air and carefully examined every region marked upon it.

 “Approximately 2.5 billion acres…” he murmured, his gaze sweeping across the vast territory. “The Western Continent is quite large.”

Thanks to the detailed map, Zan Yunxiao now had a much clearer understanding of the continent's situation. There were numerous kingdoms, nations, and even several empires scattered across the land, each separated by enormous distances. 

He couldn't help but feel relieved that he hadn't openly declared his intention to unify the entire Western Continent. If he had done so recklessly, he might have attracted the attention of countless forces before he was ready.

His eyes soon stopped on the distant regions beyond the Crimson Empire. Even some of the nations shown on the map were incredibly far from the empire. 

“Fortunately, I decided to remain hidden,” Zan Yunxiao muttered, his expression obscured beneath the distortion covering his face. “There are far more forces here than I expected.”

A knock suddenly came from the door, interrupting his thoughts. 

“Enter,” Zan Yunxiao said calmly.

The door opened, and Qiu Wuyin stepped inside before respectfully cupping his fists. “My Lord, the Nascent Soul cultivators and their disciples have all departed. They have begun carrying out the assignments you gave them.”

Zan Yunxiao simply nodded, his attention returning to the floating map. Noticing where his lord's gaze was fixed, Qiu Wuyin couldn't help but smile. “My Lord, what do you think of this map I acquired?”

“It is detailed,” Zan Yunxiao replied without looking away from it.

Although his face remained blurred and his tone carried little emotion, Qiu Wuyin immediately took the words as praise. A pleased smile appeared on his face. “I am glad that it meets your expectations, my Lord.”

Zan Yunxiao glanced at him for a moment before silently returning his attention to the map. He couldn't help but wonder how far Eclipse would be able to expand once its members had spread throughout the continent.

He continued studying the map for a moment before suddenly remembering something important. He had focused so much on recruiting powerful cultivators and expanding Eclipse that he had overlooked a fundamental problem.

Resources. 

Cultivators might be willing to follow him because of his overwhelming strength, but strength alone couldn't sustain an organization forever. 

“Qiu Wuyin,” he called, turning toward him. “Have you considered how we will provide resources for the members of Eclipse?”

Qiu Wuyin wasn't surprised by the question and calmly cupped his fists. “My Lord, there is no need to worry about that. I have already instructed them to recruit prominent families throughout the various kingdoms and nations. With the support of these families, Eclipse will have a steady source of income and resources. In exchange, we will provide them with protection and the opportunity to have their talented descendants receive guidance in cultivation.”

Zan Yunxiao stared at Qiu Wuyin for a moment, genuinely surprised. He hadn't expected Qiu Wuyin to think that far ahead. He had been worried that the cultivators under him might eventually lose motivation or even abandon Eclipse because they were working hard without receiving any tangible rewards, yet Qiu Wuyin had already prepared a solution before he even brought up the problem.

“Not bad,” Zan Yunxiao said, his tone carrying a rare hint of approval. “You have thought this through.”

Qiu Wuyin's expression brightened slightly beneath his respectful demeanor. He bowed deeper and replied, “It is my honor, my Lord. As the leader of Eclipse, it is only natural that I consider these matters.”

Zan Yunxiao nodded silently. He had originally chosen Qiu Wuyin simply because he needed someone capable of managing Eclipse, but now he realized that his decision had been better than he expected. With someone like Qiu Wuyin handling the organization's affairs, perhaps he wouldn't have to worry about every little matter himself.

After a while Zan Yunxiao dismissed Qiu Wuyin, and after respectfully cupping his fists, Qiu Wuyin turned and left the office. Once the door closed behind him, Zan Yunxiao remained silent for a moment before glancing toward the window.

“It is about time,” he muttered.

He walked to the table and picked up a sheet of paper and a bottle of ink. After dipping the brush into the ink, Zan Yunxiao wrote several strokes across the paper. Once he finished, he carefully folded the paper and infused it with a strand of spiritual energy before tossing it out the window.

The moment the paper left his hand, it trembled slightly before shooting into the sky like a bolt of light. It traveled at astonishing speed, heading directly toward the Crimson Empire.

Zan Yunxiao watched it disappear into the distance before calmly returning to his seat.

. . .

Several hours later, inside the imperial palace of the Crimson Empire, Hong Yuanji was seated in his study when a folded piece of paper suddenly flew through the window and landed neatly on his desk.

Hong Yuanji raised an eyebrow before picking it up. The moment he sensed the familiar spiritual energy lingering upon the paper, he immediately recognized who had sent it.

“Ancestor…”

He respectfully unfolded the paper and began reading.

His expression remained calm as his eyes moved across the message. There was no need to question why Zan Yunxiao had sent it. Whatever reason his ancestor had, Hong Yuanji trusted that it was not something he needed to understand.

Hold a tournament throughout the Crimson Empire. Whoever emerges victorious will be given a chance to pursue immortality.

Hong Yuanji's eyes paused on those words for a moment.

“A tournament?”

He fell silent briefly, wondering why his ancestor suddenly wanted such an event held. However, he quickly dismissed the thought. If his ancestor wanted a tournament, then there was naturally a reason behind it.

He folded the paper carefully and placed it on the table.

“Since Ancestor has given the order, then we shall do it.”

Hong Yuanji did not ask for an explanation, nor did he complain about the sudden task. Instead, he immediately began considering how the tournament should be organized and how to spread the announcement throughout the Crimson Empire.

After all, when an order came from their Ancestor, there was no need to ask why.

They simply obeyed.